Warning Following Weekend Fire in Whitireia Park

The Greater Wellington Regional Council
is calling for people to heed the total fire ban at
Porirua's Whitireia Park following a small fire on the
park's western beach on Sunday 6 January.

The driftwood
fire flared up in the late afternoon, covering an area of
about 20x30 metres. It was attended by the New Zealand Fire
Service and the Wellington Volunteer Bushfire Force, who put
the fire out by 9pm.

"The cause appeared to be a beach
fire that wasn't properly extinguished. In fact, our Parks
staff had noticed an increase in evidence of beach fires,
such as charred driftwood, before the fire on Sunday," says
Wayne Boness, the Regional Council's Western Principal
Ranger.

"After the devastating effects of the February
2010 fire in Whitireia Park, no one wants to see another
fire. The risks to nearby residents and the park itself are
enormous. That's why we have a total fire ban at the park -
so it's disappointing that a few are taking a risk that
could affect so many. It's very fortunate that the fire was
put out before it spread beyond the driftwood."

Wayne says
that with the dry summer conditions, people should take
extra care even in regional parks that don't have a total
fire ban.

"Embers can flare up after you think you've
dampened them down - you really need to be absolutely sure
that there's no potential for a flare-up. And smokers: make
sure your cigarette buts are fully extinguished."

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